Somali chef and cookbook author to speak in Portland

Somali‑born Chef Ifrah F. Ahmed to Showcase New Cookbook in Portland

Portland, Ore. – Somali‑born chef Ifrah F. Ahmed will be in town this fall to discuss her debut cookbook, Soomaaliya, at an event hosted by Coffee by Design on Friday, Oct. 2. The free gathering is part of the coffee shop’s Voices by Design series, which features authors, artists, performers, and community leaders in conversation with local audiences.

Ahmed, who now lives in Brooklyn, has been drawing attention with her Milk & Myrrh pop‑up Somali dining series, which has operated in New York City since 2019 and has also toured the West Coast. In Portland, the evening will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Coffee by Design, located at 1 Diamond Street. The venue will serve Somali snacks prepared by the Lewiston‑based Somali Bantu Isuken Co‑op.

Before the main event, Ahmed will host a free meet‑and‑greet from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Portland Community Squash, 66 Noyes Street. Attendees can chat with the chef, ask questions about the cookbook, and sample dishes that illustrate the traditions and flavors highlighted in her work.

In her conversation, Ahmed is expected to talk about the stories, traditions, and experiences that shape Somali cuisine and culture. The cookbook, which has already received praise from food critics, is her first major publication.

The event is open to all Portland residents and visitors, with no admission fee. It offers a chance to learn about Somali culinary heritage while supporting a chef who has brought her culture to tables across the country.